Navigation
Understanding that our choices have consequences for ourselves and others.
Imagine you have a magic remote control for your life with a 'Pause' button. What would happen if you used it every time you had to make a big decision?
Every time you do something, it is like throwing a pebble into a pond. It creates ripples that spread out. A choice is a decision you make, like choosing to eat an apple or a cookie. A consequence is what happens because of that choice. Consequences are not always bad! If you choose to practice your piano, the consequence is that you play a beautiful song. If you choose to brush your teeth, the consequence is a healthy smile. Thinking ahead helps us see the ripples before we even throw the pebble.
1. The Choice: You have a new toy truck and your friend wants to play with it. 2. Option A: You say 'No!' and hide it. The consequence is your friend feels sad and doesn't want to play. 3. Option B: You say 'Let's take turns!' The consequence is you both have fun together.
Quick Check
What do we call the result or 'ripple' that happens after we make a choice?
Answer
A consequence.
Sometimes we think our choices only matter to us. But in a classroom, we are a group. If one person chooses to follow the rules, it helps everyone. If one person chooses to be loud while the teacher is talking, the consequence is that nobody can hear the lesson. This is the Ripple Effect. Imagine a team of soccer players. If one player chooses to sit down during the game, the other players have to work much harder. Our actions are like pieces of a puzzle; they all fit together to make the day good or bad for everyone.
1. Scenario: Your class is walking past the library. 2. Action: You decide to shout a joke to your friend. 3. The Ripple: The students in the library lose their focus, your teacher has to stop the line, and your whole class loses minutes of recess. One choice affected people!
Quick Check
If one student helps clean up a mess, how does that help the whole group?
Answer
It keeps the room safe for everyone and saves time for the whole class.
How do we make good choices when we are in a hurry? We use a special tool called Stop, Breathe, Think. 1. Stop: Freeze for seconds like a statue. 2. Breathe: Take one deep breath to give your brain oxygen. 3. Think: Ask yourself, 'If I do this, what will happen next?' Using this tool makes you the boss of your actions instead of letting your feelings take over. It turns you into a 'Choice Detective' who looks for clues about the future!
1. The Problem: You come back from the bathroom and see someone else sitting in your favorite chair. 2. The Impulse: You want to push them out of the way. 3. Stop: You freeze before touching them. 4. Breathe: You take a slow breath in and out. 5. Think: 'If I push them, I will go to the principal's office. If I ask them to move, we can stay friends.' 6. Outcome: You ask nicely, they move, and you both stay out of trouble.
Which of these is a 'positive consequence' of studying for a spelling test?
What is the second step of the 'Stop and Think' strategy?
True or False: One person's choice can affect a whole group of people.
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning, see if you can remember the three steps: Stop, ______, and Think!
Practice Activity
Today, when you are about to pick a game to play or a snack to eat, use the 'Stop and Think' tool to predict what the consequence will be.